Day 12: Eaten by the Great Annihilator

Taking the low road isn't always the slowest. Or least interesting.

While the pedant would probably point out that there is no concept of low in space, only that up and down are both relative terms that make sense when you are planet side. Having an external direction imposed by gravity means that relative directions are easily adopted, and mankind was doing it long before space travel was the norm.

Of course when it comes to practical matters, such as working with others, it isn't always about being right (through pedantry or otherwise). Much more important is about being able to have useful casual conversations rather than technically obtuse but accurate ones. Taking advantage of millions of years of evolution trumping only a few hundred years of space travel.

Not that there is any gravity to help when looking at the galaxy, but the convention appears to place Sol above the galactic plane, and ships systems consistently display maps with the Alliance at the top of the pile and generally closest to the old north star, also known as Polaris. When the home system is at (0,0,0), and the centre of the galaxy is off thataway, then consistency as about all you can hope for.

So old habits die hard and the low road it was. The others in the exploration group went high up over the top of the galactic plane and we've rarely been closer than 500Ly.

And so that low choice put me within range of another fine galactic sight of great natural interest.

The Great Annihilator. Not the first choice for a star catalogue, but a name that has stuck.

At just under 3000Ly from Sagittarius A* this is perhaps the second most familiar black hole in the galaxy. Not many know however that it has a companion black hole around 210,000Ls away.

I'm just about to jump in for a visit...

Space distorts in a dangerous way around a black hole. Light itself, normally one for flying as straight and true as possible, suffers almost turning back on itself when near a gravitational field of this magnitude.

When the transition from travelling faster than the speed of light has settled down, there's a huge eruption in the stars that make up the galactic plane. Turning in on themselves, eating each other whole, and then being regurgitating again.

It seems I've found the black hole. Putting off dinner seems like a good idea right now.

Some detailed sensor sweeps and flybys of the gravitational lensing, and then onward to the companion black hole.

That was too close! The gravitational incline of the companion causes the safety systems to kick in, and the ship drops out into whatever counts as normal space around a black hole. The singularity spins less than 250km away, and meanwhile my adrenaline surges through the roof. A fight or flight decision has to be made. Quickly.

There can be no fight with a an object that commands the power to bend light and space. Turning away so the black hole is behind me, I keep a close eye on the ship's heat levels and start the jump sequence. The ship's computer helpfully tries to throw up an escape vector marker on the holo-display. Throttle up and continue increasing the distance away from danger. The charging engine spool up reaches a crescendo.

Nothing happens.

The computer bleeps helplessly as the jump fails to engage and the engines start to flood the ship with heat. The emergency jump sequence shuts down and mercifully the heat begins to dissipate safely. My trigger finger moves away from the heatsink launch button, the charge remains available and unused, while the temperature drains back to sensible levels.

Am I trapped?

The computer is so confused by the local distortion that it can't provide a safe escape. I'm not even sure if there is one - perhaps I'm too close. Try again.

The jump announcement signals ready and the heat builds again. I scour the sky for a weakening of space that will allow me free, trusting to the physics of the situation to find a path free instead of the onboard navigation imbecile. There's no sign of an escape vector where I'm pointed.

The controls lock and the timer countdown begins. There's more visible distortion of the galactic plane as the black hole spits me out.  The ship climbs to a safe distance and begins the acceleration away from danger.

Relief sets in and my stomach growls its hunger pangs.

Only when I've made it to the next system.

(Editor's note: the original intro video has now been replaced with an extended version at around 13 minutes of HD black hole footage)

Day 11: The double scoop

Collective madness.

Those who have been out amongst the stars, travelled far, and returned, will know that a certain routine sets in after a while. We've managed to maintain a good camaraderie at the times when comms has been established over the distance that we've been travelling, and the separation between the ships in space.

But a need to try something different steps to the fore. A break to the routine. The taking of a risk in a profession mostly noted for being adverse and always looking to the longer term result.

So something like this was bound to happen, a rebellion of sorts that allows you to shake something out of your system. Otherwise a tension builds up that distracts in an even more dangerous way.

The cabin temperature builds up as the heat accumulates in the ship. 85%... 92%... 97%. Insistent klaxons demanding attention and prompt action are rendered meaningless. There is nowhere to go and nothing that can be done except to complete the transit between the stars. The cabin fills with an intense dry heat as the cooling mechanisms struggle to cope.

It flattens out at 98% and then falls back in relief to more normal operating levels. A bead of sweat runs down the side of my temple and the cooked feeling fades away.

Moments later a fellow explorer in our group reports arriving at a similar tight binary star system over 500Ly away. After hearing of my exploit the madness jumps this distance and he has to repeat exactly the same manoeuvre. Communication is lost for a moment from the interference of the stars, but resumes with a jubilant cheer and laughter with a slightly manic edge to it. I know how that feels.

The journey continues with the tension released and balance restored.

For both of us.

Yesterday's waterworld with rings clearly wasn't nearly as unique as I'd thought for. After only a few jumps in there was another one waiting for me, this time with caps of ice.

The A class star that it orbits also casts a disturbing muddy white hue that I don't think I have ever seen before. It makes the gas giant look altogether gruesome and unreal.

As if on cue I hear the drip...drip... drip behind me of water onto a metal plate. The fresh water condenser and purifier, recently broken, has started working again for no apparent reason. A few drops of water drip out as the machine goes through an internal cleaning cycle. Operation is restored.

The transit between the twin stars must have shaken something lose, but I'll still have to keep an eye on it. I have fresh water again and the storage containers accumulate a supply that will keep me going much further. I'll draw some water out and build up a reserve in case it packs in again.

Getting back into the routine and I find myself in a fortunate position. Close enough to another stellar object with a most appropriate name, and also worthy of a visit.

Course change set. Jump initiated.

Video link (YouTube): Elite Dangerous: Binary star refuelling
Duration: 0:50

The call of the wild

I really don't know why I bought that ship. I certainly didn't have any plans for it. At least that's what I thought at the time.

It was a strange day. A day of coincidences.

Bringing a mid-range explorer onto the market was a brave move by Lakon. They already have the high end cornered with the Asp, so this is now a decidedly modern take on an exploration ship that is also combat capable. It's becoming a more dangerous universe as the turmoil of powerplay takes its toll, and even the loneliest of explorers need to go armed these days.

But I still didn't actually need the ship for anything. It was just going into storage.

Of course there was a plan in the back of my mind to get back to exploration. An earlier jaunt out towards Barnard's Loop has given me a taste of the beauty of our galaxy and the sites to be seen. A steady trickle of explorers returning from the centre of the galaxy reported a super massive black hole known as Sagittarius A*.

Curiosity is piqued of course: a trip that should be made some time soon, to add to the body of knowledge about the centre of the galaxy, and have some bragging rights when I'm too old to fly and need a drink in a bar. But not today.

A chance contact with a fellow veteran from Quivira found he was preparing to go to Sagittarius A* though. He was placing final touches onto the ship and preparing to leave momentarily. Just as I was dismissing the trip myself.

Incoming message. A second veteran and a supporter of the Alliance also preparing for the trip. Neither knowing about the other and both equally surprised when they found out. A second strange coincidence indeed.

My fancy was tickled. Why not? I have nothing holding me here at the moment, and though the known galaxy has erupted into a powerplay of conflict there isn't much that I need to get involved with right now.

So there had been a reason for preparing the Diamondback Explorer after all. I'll file that under one of the universe's little mysteries.

Word spread and soon we were four: winging our way to the centre of the galaxy.

I'll get a chance to ponder the mysterious ways of the universe while I'm out jumping between stars. But for now I'm going to enjoy the fireworks, and the company on the journey to the lonely centre of the galaxy.

Rebel secrets - Day 10 Slave uprising at Sorbago

In pursuing more intel about the uprising I have taken my eye off the ball. After failing to find a strategist who is prepared to talk, then intercepting rebel transmissions became the next logical step.

Reaching out to one of my contacts gained during my times as a slaver, to decrypt the transmissions, will hopefully reveal more. The slave trade was a dark time for me and I do not look back on it proudly.

External events move too quickly though for me to stay involved however.

Video link (YouTube)
Duration: 12:59

A conversation with General Evans - Day 6 Slave uprising at Sorbago

Day 6 of the slave rebellion at Sorbago. An unexpected connection with Mastopolos Mining.

The slaves have taken over most of the mines on the surface of Sorbago A1, while the combat in orbit is deadlocked into the 6th day. The swarm of vessels compete for control and any advantage, no matter how large or small, is fleeting and soon slips away. If combat does not contain answers then it is time to look elsewhere.

To the commanders. The leaders. The strategists. We need to meet.

We need to talk.

Video link (YouTube)
Duration: 12:43

The routing of Boudica - Day 4 Slave uprising at Sorbago

Day 4 of the slave rebellion at Sorbago. Senator Torval's capital ship Boudica has engaged in the pacification of the slaves.

A more personal report. I find myself drawn to the battle.

The combat in Sorbago continues unabated. Despite the weight bought to bear by the Imperial Senator Torval's forces, the independents continue their uprising.

Torval does not define the Empire and I will not blindly follow a conflict driven by the selfish business interests of a slaver.

As a commander of the Federation of Pilots it is time to make a difference.

Video link (YouTube)
Duration: 4:38

Combat report - Day 3 Slave uprising at Sorbago

The slave uprising in Sorbago has attracted Imperial interest. The forces of Senator Torval have been sent to assist in control of the slave uprising, however questions are being asked as to whether this is a business interest or the honour of the Empire at stake.

Visiting the system shows that there is open conflict, contradicting the news stories widely reported in the news media. Both Mastopolis Mining Corporation for the Empire, and the Liberals of Sorbago continue the civil war as proxy.

The Commanders of the Elite Federation of Pilots have shown an active interest in both understanding why the slaves have chosen to revolt, as well as support for the Empire in the form of the Senator Torval's suppression of the rebellion.

The battle continues. Sides have been taken, The reason for the conflict and open hostility is not yet clear...

Video Link (YouTube)
Duration: 5:42